Strand tensioning, slack compensating, selective trapping, and cutting device



Dec. 15, 1936. H. OWENS 2,064,685 STRAND TENSIONING, SLACK COMPENSATING, SELECTIVE ING' TING 19 TRAPP AND OUT DEVICE Filed June 17, as 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I him Lu e" lmll" 35 n aww 4 4 .14 v9 WW5 H TRAND TENSIONING,

TRAPPING,

Filed Dec. 15, 1936. s

WENS

CK COMPENSAT CUTTING DEV e 17, 1935 2,064,685 IVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'S ELEGT Patented Dec. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRAND TENSIONING, SLACK COMPENSAT- ING, SELECTIVE TRAPPING, AND CUTTING DEVICE Application June 1'7, 1935, Serial No. 26,944

30 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in strand tensioning, slack compensating, selective trapping and cutting devices, particularly adapted for use in textile strand twisting, winding, spinning, doubling, or like machines acting on two or more strands and in addition to functioning as a selective trapping or cutting device for other strands being capable of producing uniform tension on each strand with variations in the slack thereof, thus producing similar tensions on all strands so as to insure an even twist.

While I am aware that others have provided selective trapping and cutting devices for use on machines twisting or drafting a plurality of strands preferably into a single strand the tensioning devices therefor have usually been stationary' and hence with the inevitable accumulation of slack have tended to feed the strands to the twisting or draft means with an unequal tension, thus providing an unevenly spun or twisted yarn.

An object of my invention therefore is to provide a device which will automatically feed the respective strands to the twisting or draft means of such a machine with even tension despite variations in the slack thereof, while automatically dropping to compensate for variations in the slack of the individual strands to insure said uniform tension on each strand as fed to the twisting or draft means. The necessity of feeding the different strands to the twisting or draft means with even tension has been so great and so impossible of achievement in former selective trapping and cutting devices that the operators have often not run the strands through the trapping or cutting devices actually installed selective or otherwise in actual use, thereby eliminating the well known advantages of selective trapping and cutting devices, such as prevention of singlings, etc.

A further object of my invention is to provide in such a combination the best type of selective trapping or cutting device rather than one which is not selective to insure the actuation thereof when thicker yarns are being twisted with lighter yarns so that it may function to break the lighter yarn and thus provide positive means to break the other strand or strands on breakage of one strand despite irregularities in and respectively different sizes of the yarns being twisted, wound or spun.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I provide therefore strand guide means adapted to keep the strands separate each independently pivotally mounted in such a manner to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand and adapted to drop preferably of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain its uniform tension on said strand.

I also provide suitable cutting or trapping means for each strand and I so construct my improved pivotally mounted guide means that either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack or on breakage of a strand, or the end of yarn on one bobbin is reached as the thread runs out, said strand guide means may drop away a greater distance from its pivot with increasing leverage with sufiicient force to actuate another cutting or trapping means to break the other strand. I thus preferably provide lever means each pivotally mounted for its respective strand, said lever means having work arm means extending upwardly to actuate a cutting or trapping edge for the opposite strand and having heavier power arm means having strand guide means mounted on the end thereof normally supported in a raised position by its respective strand to exert a light Weight on its respective strand preferably only slightly vertically offset from its pivot and adapted to actuate by its own gravity said adjacent work arm means to cut or trap another strand. Thus I believe I am the first to provide a device in which the yarn separating and guide means for each strand is independently pivotally mounted and supported by the yarn strand and is capable of dropping a substantial amount to compensate for slack in its respective strand and feed it to the draft or twisting means of the machine with uniform tension and capable of dropping preferably by its own gravity a further distance with increased leverage after an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack or breakage of a strand to positively, preferably by its own gravity actuate suitable trapping or cutting means to break another strand. In my preferred embodiment the strand guide means is preferably mounted on the power arm of a lever so mounted as to be capable of dropping by its own gravity when not supported by the strand and the tapping or cutting means is mounted on the work arm of the same lever to function on breakage of a strand or an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack to break the opposite strand. In another embodiment of my invention the guide means is mounted on a separate power arm means which is adapted to actuate to contact and actuate the work arm cutting or trapping means with a lost motion connection.

One object of my invention therefore is to provide a device which will function through the dropping of the strand guide itself to compensate for slack and maintain a uniform tension on the twisting or draft means and a further object of my invention is to provide a device wherein the further dropping of the individual strand guide means by its own gravity provides the power for actuating the cutting or trapping means for another strand, in one embodiment functioning through an individually suitably bent lever and in another embodiment through the lever power arm means on which the strand guide is mounted actuating a work arm having cutting or trapping means mounted thereon preferably by contact therewith and preferably with a lost motion connection.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device in which the pivotally mounted guide means is retained in normal position only slightly vertically offset from its pivot to exert a very small amount of weight on each strand particularly desirable if fine strands are employed.

A further object of my invention is to provide stop means to limit forward movement of each of the guide means to normally provide an equal amount of tension in the feeding of the strands to the twisting or draft means.

A further object of my invention is to incorporate therein supplemental means actuated by the single twisted or wound strand beyond the twisting or draft means of said machine adapted on accumulation of too much slack in said strand or on breakage of said strand to actuate all trapping or cutting means to break all strands.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view taken through a twisting frame showing my invention attached to a portion thereof between the draft rolls and supply bobbins thereof.

Fig., 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through my device and adjacent draft roll portions.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of my improved device.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of my improved device.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of my improved device taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved device similar to Fig. 2 with the respective strand guide levers in partially slack positions.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Figs. 2 and 6 in which a strand guide has dropped to a maximum position to actuate the cutting or trapping means to break the other strand.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating one of the two lever means employed in the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1-7, but which has a strand guide comprising a bent metal hook in place of the porcelain pig tail shown in the other embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of my invention in which each strand guide is'mounted on a power arm and each selective trapping or cutting means to actuate the opposite strand is mounted on the work arm of a single lever.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, I0 generally indicates a combination strand tensioning, slack compensating, selective trapping or cutting device constructed in accordance with my invention.

My invention is adapted to be used where strands from two or more sources of supply are combined by suitable means or mechanism into a single strand such as in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or other like machines working on preferably relatively light textile or other strands and having twisting or draft means and where it is desirable to prevent singling on breakage of one strand to selectively break the other strand or strands and to provide a device which is at all times positive in its action. I have shown in Fig. 1 my invention mounted on a twisting frame l2 having the draft or twisting rolls l4 rotatably mounted thereon and the strand guide l6 for guiding the twisted strand on to revolving bobbins (not shown), each of the two strands and 20 in the embodiment shown being led from the respective supply bobbins (not shown). While I have shown my invention mounted on a type of twisting machine, it is obvious that it may be employed on any other type of twisting machine, winding machine, spinning machine, roving machine, doubling machine, or like machine having similar problems.

My invention specifically includes the individual strand guide means 22 and 22 for each strand, two in the embodiment shown adapted to keep said strands separate, each independently pivotally mounted as at 24 and 24 underneath its respective strand 20 and 20 and I provide cutting or trapping means 26 and 26 for each strand each projecting upwardly in my preferred embodiment and terminating in the respective cutting or trapping edges 28 and 28*. Each strand guide 22 and 22 is preferably so pivotally mounted as at 24 and 24' as to normally exert a light weight only on its respective strand and so that it may drop a substantial distance vertically away from its pivot 24 and 24 preferably of its own weight to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack or on breakage of a strand, said strand guide may act with sufficient increased leverage to actuate said opposite cutting or trapping means 26 and 25 respectively. In my preferred embodiment the guide means 22 and 22' are mounted respectively on the power arms and 30 adapted to actuate the adjacent work arm means 26 and 26 respectively to cut or trap said opposite strands 20 and 28 respectively on the accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in the respective strands 2!] or 28* or on respective breakage of the strands 20 or 20 In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 9 the power arms 3% and 30 are mounted as a single lever with the respectively opposite strand cutting work arms 26 and 26 In my preferred embodimcnt however, the respective power arms 39' and 30 are adapted to actuate the independently mounted work arms 25* and 26 preferably through the medium of a lost motion connection later to be described.

As shown in Figs. 1-7, my improved invention includes the inverted U-shaped frame 32 having the inverted U-base 34, the U-legs 36 and the flanges 38 projecting laterally from the lower ends of said legs having the screw slots 39 therein for mounting thereof on the machine frame l2 preferably as-in the embodiment shown near the twisting or draft means I4 of said machine. The inverted U-base 34 is provided with the central transverse slot 40 therein over opposite ends of which the strands 710 and 20 are adapted to pass. In my preferred embodiment I also provide the tension post 42 mounted from one leg 36 of said U-shaped frame 32 to extend horizontally transversely over said slot 40 above said strands. While I preferably employ the tension post 42 'to assist in exerting a more even tension on the strands 20 and 20 to the draft or twisting means I4, and to provide a surface against which the trapping or cutting arms 26' and 26 may function, it is obvious that it may if desired, be dispensed with.

In my preferred embodiment the post 42 is provided with a flat surface 44 extending obliquely upwardly near the rear of said slot 40. In my preferred embodiment, I provide a pivot pin 46 mounted transversely of said frame below said post 42 and I mount the relatively light work arms 26 and 2b as the work arms respectively of the pair of trapping levers 48 and 48* respectively each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin 46 and having the work arms 26 and 26 thereof extend obliquely transversely upwardly to cross each other and through the respective opposite ends of said frame transverse slot 40 and terminating in the trapping or cutting edges 28 and 28 adjacent the opposite strands 20 and 20 below said post 42. It is thus obvious that with this construction the rear pivotal movement of said Work arms 26* and 26 is limited by the rear edge of said transverse slot 40 for the purpose of assisting in providing the lost motion connection later to be described and the forward pivotal movement thereof is limited by the flat surface 44, where employed, of the post 42. Said trapping or cutting levers 48 and 48 are also provided with the power arms Ell and 59 respectively projecting rearwardly therefrom and preferably having a substantially flat lower surface.

In my preferred embodiment I mount a second pivot pin 52 transversely of said frame in rear .of said first pivot pin 46 and I provide a pair of guiding levers 54 and 54* each pivotally mounted as at 24 and 24' adjacent one end of said second pivot pin 52 each having in the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8, the work arms 56* and 56 respectively projecting arouately forwardly therefrom, in my preferred embodiment bent to generate a substantially involute cam upper surface to abut the lower surface of said trapping lever power arms 50 and 50' respectively to advance said power arms 58 and 50 where the involute cam surfaces be employed, at constant speed on dropping of said guide lever power arms 36 and 30 The guide lever power arms 39 and 30 in this embodiment are the respective power arms of the levers 54 and 54 and have mounted on the ends thereof the strand receiving and'separating guides 22 and 22 respectively. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 however, the second pivot pin 52 is dispensed with, the trapping lever power arms 59 and 50* are dispensed with and the guide lever work arms 56 and 56 are dispensed with and the power arms 30 and 38* are integrally mounted with the work arms 26 and 26 as the inherent parts of the single individual levers 54 and 54 In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8, the edges 2'8 and 28 are mere trapping edges as they function against the rear surface of the post 42 and drawing of the strands 20 and 26] therebetween causes a further wedging action of said edges 28 and 28 against said post to positively assist in trapping the fabric. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, however, the edges 28 and 28 do not function with such a wedging action due to the change in leverage and it is desirable in this instance to provide the cutting edges 28 and 23 as shown as true cutting edges. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8 the respective work arms 26 and 26 cross in their upward movement. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, however, the work arm 26 is bent around the work arm 26 so as not to interfere with its action. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8 the width of the slot 40- is so regulated that when the re-- spective power arms 25 and 26 abut the rear edge of said slot that the respective trapping lever power arms 58 and 50 will be out of contact with the respective work arms 56 and 58 of the trapping levers 54 and 54 the forward movement of the power arms 311 and 30 of said levers 54 and 54 being limited by abutting the rear edge of said U-shape frame 32 to thus normally space the work arms 56 and 56 of said guide levers 54 and 54 vertically below and away from the power arms Ell and 59 of said trapping levers 48 and 48'.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8, I provide the supplemental lever 58 independently mounted on said frame 32 as at 60 having a rear work arm cross bar 62 underlying said trapping lever work arms 26 and 26 and a heavier power arm 64 projecting forwardly from said pivot 60 having strand guide means 66 thereon to be supported by the single twisted or wound strand l8 beyond said twisting or draft means of said machine adapted on breakage of said strand or on an accumulation of an excessive amount of slack in said strand to tilt said lever 58 to raise the work arm 62 to abut both work arms 25 and 26 to raise them both against said tension post 42 or strands 28 and 20 to break both strands.

In use, the respective strands 26 and 20 are threaded through the porcelain pig tails 22 and 22 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-7 mounted on the respective power arms Lill and 36 thereof or the metallic hooks 22 and 22 of said power arms as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, underneath the post 42. through the rolls l4, through the thread guide 66 and guide l6, it being obvious that in either embodiment that as the power arms 35 and 30 with the guides 22 and 22* mounted on the ends thereof are raised to a normal operating substantially vertical position that they will function either to directly lower the cutting or trapping edges 28" and 28 as shown in Fig. 9, or permit them to drop as shown in Figs. 1-7 to permit the strands 20 and 29 to be threaded underneath said post 42 over said cutting or trapping edges 28 and 28 In the normal operation of the machine it will then be obvious that unless too much slack accumulates or a breakageoccurs in the strands 29 and 20 that the respective strands 2m and 29 will normally retain their strand guides 22 and 22 and lever power arms 30 and 39* against the rear edge of said frame 32 in a position only slightly vertically offset from their ing or draft means.

pivots 24 and 24 so that said guides 22' and 22 and levers 32 and 32 will exert only a relatively slight weight on the respective strands and will uniformly tension said strands to said twist- It is also apparent that with accumulation of slack between the draft means 54 and the source of supply of the respective strands 20 and 20 that the guides 22 and 22 and power arms 30 and 30* will drop by gravity of their own weight to compensate for variation in slack in their respective strands away from the respective pivots 24 and 24 to maintain a uniform tension on the respective strands and as shown in Fig. 6 to permit said power arm 30 to drop the substantial distance X without its work arms t contacting said trapping lever power arm 5!! to provide a lost motion and that each respective guide lever power arm, 30* as shown in Fig. 6, may drop a further substantial distance Y to compensate for slack in its respective strand away from its pivot 24 to still maintain a substantially uniform tension and with increasing leverage with the work arm 56 as shown in Fig. 6 raising said trapping lever power arm 5% at constant speed if an involute cam surface be employed until slow dropping of said power arm 30 as shown in Fig. '7 on an excessive amount of slack in the strand 20* or rapid dropping thereof on breakage of a strand 20 as shown in Fig. 7 causes said trapping lever work arm 26 to abut said post or respective opposite strand 20 as shown in Fig. '7 with sufiicient increased leverage to break said opposite strand 20 I have shown in Fig 6 of the two lever devices shown in Figs. 1-8 the strand guide 22 dropped from a substantially vertical position shown in Fig. 2 with the space between the work arm 56 of the guide lever 54 thereof and rearwardly projecting work arm 50 of the trapping lever 48 thereof to provide a lost motion connection, to the position of the arm 30 shown in Fig. 6 permitting dropping of the distance X shown therein with a true lost motion until as shown in Fig. 6 the upper surface of the guide lever work arm 56 contacts the lower surface of the power arm 50* of the trapping lever 48 thus permitting the guide 22 to move the amount X from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 6 without any movement of the trapping lever 48*. I have shown in Fig. 6 the guide 22 dropped to a position on the accumulation of further slack in the strand 2!! a distance Y with increasing leverage, during this drop Y serving to lift the trapping edge 28 operated thereby from the position shown therein of the opposite trapping edge 28 to the actual position of the trapping edge 28 shown therein only slightly spaced from the trapping post 42 thus permitting still greater amount of slack to accumulate in the strand 20 than has accumulated in the strand 20 without any cutting of the opposite strand and still providing a substantially uniform tension of the strands 20 and 20 to the rolls M. I have shown in Fig. 7 the actual cutting position of my device in which the strand guide 22 has dropped, either on accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of the strand 20 to its lowermost position to cause the work arm 56 thereof to raise the power arm 50 of the trapping lever 48 to cause the trapping edge 28 of the work arm 26 thereof to trap the strand 20 against the post 42 to cause further pressure on the strand 20 from the rolls M to break the strand 20 It is apparent that when the power arm 30 or strand guide 22* gets near its lowermost position that it will operate with sufficient leverage to throw the trapping edge 4Z8 against the post 42 to break the strand 20 The operation of the lever 58 to break both strands 20 and 20 on breakage of the twisted or wound strand l8 has been hitherto described. It is apparent that the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 will function to drop the distances X and Y shown in Fig. 6, without a lost motion connection and continuously raising the cutting arms 26 or 26 without a lost motion while it drops the distance X and that aside from the fact that the cutting edges 28 and 28* function directly against the strands 2|] and 20 on the opposite side of the post 42 that otherwise this device functions substantially similar to the device shown in Figs. 1-8, the strand guides 22 and 22 serving to feed the individual strands 20 and 20 to the rolls M with even tension despite varying amounts of slack in the strands 20- and 20 until either on accumulation of an excessive amount of slack in or breakage of a strand, the power arm 30 or 30 dropping by its own gravity with increased leverage functions to raise the respective cutting edge 28 or 28 against its respective strand to cause breakage thereof. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 as constructed, it is obvious that as the vertical offset of the strand guides 22 and 22 from their pivots 24 and 24 is greater than in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8 that there will be a correspondingly greater weight exerted by the guides 22 and 22 and power arms 30 and 30 on the respective strands 20 and 20*, the weight, however, of the strand guides 22 and 22 and power arms 30 and 30 functioning of themselves to supply the necessary cutting or trapping power. It is also obvious that the dropping of the guides 22 and 22 in this embodiment will not be so great to compensate for slack without cutting or trapping as in the compound leverage embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8. While I have shown the cam surfaces 56 and 56 generated on an involute curve to provide an even raising of the trapping edges 28 and 28 it is obvious that the contacting portions of the work arms 56* and 56 and power arms 50 and 50 may be varied in any desired manner, or the length of the other arms may be correspondingly varied to provide any desired relative amount of leverage on the cutting edges.

It is apparent therefore that I have provided a novel type of strand tensioning, slack compensating, selective trapping and cutting device with the advantages described above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising an inverted U- shaped frame mounted on said machine transversely in rear of said twisting or draft means having a central transverse slot therein over opposite ends of which said strands are adapted to pass and a tension post mounted on one side thereof to extend transversely horizontally over said slot above said strands, a pivot pin mounted transversely of said frame below said post, a pair of trapping levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin and having a work arm extending obliquely transversely upwardly through the respective opposite end of said frame transverse slot and terminating in i a trapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand limited in its rear pivotable movement by the rear edge of said transverse slot, and in its forward pivotable movement by said post and a power arm projecting rearwardly therefrom having a substantially flat lower surface, a second pivot pin mounted transversely of said frame in rear of said first pivot pin, a pair of guide 'levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said second pivot pin,

each having a work arm projecting arcuately forwardly therefrom bent to generate substantially an involute upper cam surface to abut the lower surface of said trapping lever power arm to advance it at constant speed and a heavier power arm having a strand receiving and separating gui-de'mounted on the end thereof, and a supplemental lever independently pivotally mounted on said frame having a rear work arm cross bar underlying said trapping lever work arms and a heavier power arm projecting forwardly from its pivot having a strand guide thereon to be supported by the single twisted orwound strand beyond the twisting or draft means of said machine adapted on breakage of said strand or on an accumulation of an excessive amount of slack in said strand to raise said work arm to abut both trapping lever work arms toraise them both against said tension post or strands to break said strands.

2. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in. twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising an inverted Ushaped frame mounted on said machine transversely in rear of said twisting ordraft means havinga central transverse slot therein over 0pposite ends of which said strands are adapted to pass, and a tension post mounted on one side thereof to extend transversely horizontally over said slot above said strands,'a pivot pin mounted transversely of said frame below said post, a pair of trapping levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin and having a work arm extending obliquely transversely upwardly through the respective opposite end of said frame transverse slot and terminating in a rapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand limited in its rear pivotable movement by the rear edge of said transverse slot, and in its forward pivotable movement by said post and a power arm projecting rearwardly therefrom having a substantially fiat lower surface, a second pivot pin mounted transversely of said frame in rear of said first pivot pin, a pair of guide levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said second pivot pin, each having a work arm projecting arcuately for wardly therefrom bent to generate substantially an involute upper cam surface to abut the lower surface of said trapping lever power arm to advance it at constant speed and a heavier power arm having a strand receiving and separating guide mounted on the end thereof.

3. A selectivetrapping or cutting-device for-use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting auniform tension on the-strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising an inverted U-shaped frame mounted on said machine transversely in rear of said twisting or draft means having a central transverse slot therein over opposite ends of which said strands are adapted to pass and a tension post mounted on one side thereof toextend transversely horizontally over said slot above said strands, a pivotpin mounted transversely of said frame below said post, a pair of trapping levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin and having a work arm extending obliquely transversely upwardly through the respective opposite end of saidframe transverse slot and terminating in a trapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand limited in its rear pivotable movement by the rear edge of saidtransverse slot, and in its forward pivotable movement by said post and a power arm projecting rearwardly therefrom, a secondpivot pin'mounted transversely of said frame in rear of saidfirst pivot pin, a pair of guide levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said second' pivot pin, each having a work arm, projecting arcuately forwardly therefrom to abut the lower surface of said trapping lever power arm to advance it and a heavier power arm having a strand receiving and separtin-g guide mounted on the end thereof.

4. A selective trapping or cutting device for use injtwisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on' two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a tension post mounted transversely horizontally above said strands, a pivotpin mounted transversely below said post, a pair of trapping levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin and having a work arm extending obliquely transversely upwardly and terminating in a trapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand and a power arm projecting rearwardly therefrom having a substantially fiat lower surface, a second pivot pin 'mounted' transversely in rear of said first pivot pin, a pair of guide levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said sec} ond pivot pin, each having a work arm projecting arcuately forwardly therefrom bent to gen erate substantially an involute upper cam surface to abut the lower surface of said trapping lever'power arm to advance it at constant speed and a heavier power arm having a strand receiving and separating guide mounted on the end thereof, and a supplemental lever independently pivotally mounted having a rear work farm cross bar underlying said trapping lever workl arms and a heavier power arm projecting for-- wardly from its pivot having a strand guide thereon to be supported by the single twisted or wound strand beyond the twisting or draft means of said machine adapted on breakage of said strand or on an accumulation of an excessive amount of slack in said strand to raise said work arm to abut both trapping lever work arms to raise them both against said tension post or strands to break said strands. i

-5. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting orv draft. means actingon two strands, capable ,of-lexerting a uniform tension on the-strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a tension post mounted; transversely horizontally above said strands a pivot pin mounted transversely below said post, a pair of trapping levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin and having a work arm extending obliquely transversely upwardly and terminating in a trapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand and a power arm projecting rearwardly therefrom having a substantially fiat lower surface, a second pivot pin mounted transversely in rear of said first pivot pin, a pair of guide levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said second pivot pin, each having a work arm projecting arcuately forwardly therefrom bent to generate substantially an involute upper cam surface to abut the lower surface of said trapping lever power arm to advance it at constant speed and a heavier power arm having a strand receiving and separating guide mounted on the end thereof.

6. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a tension post mounted transversely horizontally above said strands, a pivot pin mounted transversely below said post, a pair of trapping levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin and having a work arm extending obliquely transversely upwardly and terminating in a trapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand and a power arm projecting rearwardly therefrom, a second pivot pin mounted transversely of said frame in rear of said first pivot pin, a pair of guide levers each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said second pivot pin, each having a work arm projecting arouately forwardly therefrom to abut the lower surface of said trapping lever power arm to advance it and a heavier power arm having a strand receiving and separating guide mounted on the end thereof.

7. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a tension post mounted transversely horizontally above said strands, a pivot pin mounted transversely below said post, a pair of relatively heavy work arm means each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin extending upwardly and terminating in a trapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand, a pair of relatively heavier power arm means each pivotally mounted and arranged to actuate its respective relatively light work arm means and having a strand guide mounted on the end thereof, and a supplemental lever independently pivotally mounted having a rear work arm cross bar underlying said worm arm means and a heavier power arm projecting forwardly from its pivot having a strand guide thereon to be supported by the single twisted or wound strand beyond the twisting or draft means of said machine adapted on breakage of said strand or on an accumulation of an excessive amount of slack in said strand to raise said work arm to abut both work arm means to raise them both against said tension post or strands to break said strands.

8. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a pivot mounted transversely below said strands, a pair of relatively heavy lever work arm means each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot extending upwardly and terminating in a trapping or cutting edge adjacent the opposite strand, and a pair of relatively heavier power arm means each pivotally mounted and arranged to actuate respective relatively light work arm means and having a strand guide mounted on the end thereof.

9. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a pivot mounted transversely below said strands, a pair of relatively heavy work arm means each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot extending upwardly and terminating in a trapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand, a pair of relatively heavier power arm means each pivotally mounted and arranged to actuate its respective relatively light work arm means and having a strand guide mounted on the end thereof, said power arm means and work arm means being so respectively shaped and mounted that said respective power arm means may be normally retained by their respective strands in a position to exert only a relatively slight weight on said respective strands and to uniformly tension said strands to said twisting or draft means, each respective power arm means may drop a substantial distance to compensate for slack in its respective strand away from its pivotto maintain a uniform tension with increasing leverage until slow dropping of said power arm means on an excessive amount of slack or rapid dropping thereof on breakage of a strand causes said work arm means to abut said respective opposite strand with sufficient increased leverage to break said opposite strand and a supplemental lever independently pivotally mounted having a rear work arm cross bar underlying said work arm means and a heavier power arm projecting forwardly from said pivot means having a strand guide thereon to be supported by the single twisted or wound strand beyond the twisting or draft means of said machine adapted on breakage of said strand or on an accumulation of an excessive amount of slack in said strand to raise said work arm to abut both work arm means to raise them both against strands to break said strands.

10. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a tension post mounted transversely horizontally above said strands, a pivot pin mounted transversely below said post, a pair of relatively heavy work arm means, each pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said pivot pin extending upwardly and terminating in a trapping or cutting edge below said post adjacent the opposite strand, a pair of relatively heavier power arm means each pivotally mounted and arranged to actuate the lower respective longitudinally adjacent portion of said respective relatively light work arm means and having a strand guide mounted on the end thereof, said power arm 76:

means and work arm means being so respectively shaped and mounted that said respective power arm means may be normally retained by their respective strands in a position to exert only a relatively slight weight on said respective strands and to uniformly tension said strands to said twisting or draft means, each respective power arm means may drop a substantial distance to compensate for slack in its respective strand away from its pivot to maintain a uniform tensionwith increasing leverage until slow dropping of said power arm means on an excessive amount of slack or rapid dropping thereof on breakage of a strand causes said work arm means to abut said post or respective opposite strand with sufficient increased leverage to break said opposite strand.

11. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a pair of lever means, each independently pivotally mounted underneath each respective strand having work arm means extending upwardly to a trapping or cutting edge for the opposite strand and having heavier power arm means, each having strand guide means mounted on the end thereof to actuate by its own gravity its respective work arm means to cut or trap said opposite strand.

12. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising, a pair of lever means each independently pivotally mounted underneath each respective strand, and having work arm means extending upwardly to a trapping or cutting edge for the opposite strand and having power arm means each having strand guide means mounted on the end thereof and adapted to actuate by its own gravity its respective work arm means to cut or trap said opposite strand and to be normally retained by its respective strand in a position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to exert only a relatively slight weight on said respective strand and to uniformly tension said strand to said twisting or draft means and to drop a substantial distance to cornpensate for slack in its respective strandaway from its pivot to maintain'a uniform tension with increasing leverage until slow dropping of said power arm means on an excessive amount of slack or rapid dropping thereof on breakage of a strand causes its respective Work arm means to abut said respective opposite strand with sufficient increased leverage to break said opposite strand.

13. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising a pair of lever means, each independently pivotally mounted underneath each respective strand having work arm means thereof extending upwardly to a trapping or cutting edge for the opposite strand and having heavier power arm means each having strand guide means mounted on the end thereof to actuate by its own gravity its respective work arm means with a'lost motion connection to cut or trap said opposite strand.

14. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in'twistins, Winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or'draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising lever means for each strand, each independently pivotally mounted underneath each respective strand having work arm means extending upwardly to a trapping or cutting edge for another strand and having heavier power arm means each having strand guide means mounted on the end thereof to actuate by its own gravity its respective work arm means to cut or trap said other strand.

15. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising lever means for each strand, each pivotally mounted underneath its respective strand and having work arm means extending upwardly to a trapping or cutting edge for another strand and having power arm means each having strand guide means mounted on the end thereof and adapted to actuate its respective work arm means to cut or trap another strand and to be normally retained by its respective strand in a position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to exert only a relatively slight weight on said respective strand and to uniformly tension said strand to said twisting or draft means and to drop a substantial distance to com pensate for slack in its respective strand away from its pivot to maintain a uniform tension with increasingleverage until slow dropping of said power arm means on an excessive amount of slack r or rapid dropping thereof on breakage of a strand causes its respective work arm means to abut said respective other strand with sufficient increased leverage to break said other strand.

16. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising lever means for each strand, each independently pivotally mounted underneath its respective strand having work arm means extending upwardly to a trapping or cutting edge for another strand and having heavier power arm means each having strand guide means mounted on the end thereof to actuate by its own gravity its respective work arm means with a lost motion connection to cut or trap another strand.

17. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning or like machines, comprising a pivot pin, a strand guide shaped to receive a pair of strands from adjacent sources of supply, a pair of levers, each pivotally mounted intermediate its ends adjacent one end of said pivot pin and having an upwardly projecting work arm and a heavier power arm having strand receiving means projecting upwardly therefrom to engage the laterally opposite strand, a pivot pin parallel with said first pivot pin and a pair of arms each terminating in a trapping or cutting edge pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said pivot pin and having the lower portion thereof adapted to be abutted by the end of its respective lever work arm to actuate said cutting or trapping edge against said guide to break the opposite strand when said power arm thereof drops on breakage of a strand.

18. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning or like ma- 75 chines comprising a pivot pin, a pair of levers, each pivotally mounted intermediate its ends adjacent one end of said pivot pin and having an upwardly projecting work arm and a heavier power arm having strand receiving means projecting upwardly therefrom to engage the laterally opposite strand, a pivot pin parallel with said first pivot pin and a pair of arms each terminating in a trapping or cutting edge pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said pivot pin and having the lower portion thereof adapted to be abutted by the end of its respective lever Work arm to actuate said cutting or trapping edge to break the opposite strand when said power arm thereof drops on breakage of a strand.

19, A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for each strand, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate each independently pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating positlon substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand and adapted to drop of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand said strand guide means may drop with sufiicient increased leverage to actuate of its own power said opposite cutting or trapping means to break said opposite strand.

20. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for each strand, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate, each pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand and adapted to drop of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strands with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power said opposite cutting or trapping means to break said opposite strand.

21. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines, having twisting or draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for each strand, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate, each independently mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light Weight on its respective strand, and adapted to drop of ts own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand, said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power another cutting or trapping means to break another strand.

22. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for each strand, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate, each pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand and adapted to drop of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power said other cutting or trapping means to break another strand.

23. A trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for said strands, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate each independently pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand and adapted to drop of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power said cutting or trapping means to break said opposite strand.

24. A trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on two strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for said strands, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate, each pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand and adapted to drop of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power, said cutting or trapping means to break said opposite strand.

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25. A trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting, or draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with Variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for said strands, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate, each independently pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand, and adapted to drop of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand, said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power said cutting or trapping means to break another strand.

26. A trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in l the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for said strands, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate, each pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand and adapted to drop of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand, said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power said cutting or trapping means to break another strand.

2'7. In a thread cutting or trapping device, a guide lever adapted to be pivotally mounted thereon having a work arm projecting forwardly therefrom to operate a trapping or cutting means and a heavier power arm having a strand receiving and separating guide on the end thereof adapted to be normally retained by the strand in position substantially above but only slightly vertically offset from its pivot to exert only a relatively slight weight on said strand and to uniformly tension said strand to said twisting or draft means of such a length as to be capable of dropping a substantial distance away from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to maintain a uniform tension on said strand and capable of dropping a further substantial distance away from its pivot with increasing leverage until slow dropping of said power arm on an excessive amount of slack in or rapid dropping thereof on breakage of said strand may operate to raise the forwardly projecting work arm thereof to cut or trap a strand. 28. In a thread cutting or trapping device, a guide lever adapted to be pivotally mounted thereon having a work arm having cutting or trapping means thereon and a heavier power arm having a strand receiving and separating guide on the end thereof adapted to be normally retained by the strand in position substantially above but only slightly vertically offset from its pivot to exert only a relatively slight weight on said strand and to uniformly tension said strand to said twisting or draft means of such a length as to be capable of dropping a substantial distance to compensate for slack in its respective strand away from its pivot to maintain a uniform tension on said strand and capable of dropping a further substantial distance away from itspivot with increasing leverage until on slow dropping of said power arm on an excessive amount of slack in or rapid dropping thereof on breakage of said strand may operate to raise the forwardly projecting work arm thereof to cut or trap a strand.

29. A trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for said strands pivotally mounted to have the cutting or trapping edge thereof move to contact a respective strand in the same direction as the movement of said strand, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate, each pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to compensate for slack in its respective strand to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand, said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power said cutting or trapping means to break another strand.

30. A selective trapping or cutting device for use in twisting, winding, spinning, doubling or like machines having twisting or draft means acting on a plurality of strands, capable of exerting a uniform tension on the strands with variations in the slack thereof, comprising cutting or trapping means for said strands, each pivotally mounted to have the cutting or trapping edge thereof move to contact its respective strand in the same direction as the movement of said strand, individual strand guide means adapted to keep said strands separate, each independently pivotally mounted to be supported by its respective strand in normal operating position substantially above but slightly offset from its pivot to normally exert a light weight on its respective strand and adapted to drop of its own weight a substantial distance away from its pivot to continuously maintain a uniform tension on said strand with increasing leverage until either on an accumulation of a predetermined amount of slack in or breakage of said strand, said strand guide means may drop with sufficient increased leverage to actuate of its own power another cutting or trapping means to break another strand.

HENRY OWENS. 

